The future of compliance and chemical data management

Regulatory requirements are frequently changing to reflect new research, safety compliance and consumer demand, so while a product might be compliant in one region, it might not be in another. You already know that in order to remain compliant, you need to identify what those localized regulatory requirements are. But with as many as 1,500 published safety and sustainability regulations – many of which vary by region – how can any business, no matter how large its team, keep up with the changes? Here are a few tips:

Keep track with automatic updates. There are tools available that track and monitor these ever-changing standards so that compliance officers can be sure their hazard communications materials remain current—from production to purchasing to shipping. Today’s leading software tools offer a library of varying global regulations that are compiled and monitored by as many as 100 field experts, who then build the regulations into a database with available updates offered extremely frequently—as often as every 90 days.

Streamline translation. One of the challenges compliance officers face in managing the rules and regulations from one region or country to another is a lack of uniform language. Using a translation service is always an option, but those can be cost prohibitive, with some services charging .20 to .25 cents a word for an average of $400-600 for a single SDS. By using a tool that offers its own translation software, you can avoid unnecessary costs and streamline the process by removing the need for third parties. Leading software tools offers as many as 22,000 industry standard phrases translated into nearly 50 different languages, as well as the capability to build your own library of customized phrases translated into the language you require.

Centralize the data. You’re also likely familiar with the lack of uniformity in available data when it comes to products, chemicals and compounds, sometimes because the data is in multiple formats (both print and electronic) and sometimes because the necessary information simply cannot be located. That’s where a centralized, consistent database of product and chemical information comes in—a place to ensure more efficient data organization and retrieval and hopefully reduce the need to constantly contact suppliers or your own IT staff to collect information.

Trust UL The Wercs—the most established supply chain data management and compliance partner—to help with these initiatives, and more. Offerings include SDS authoring, translation and management; hazard communications; sustainable sourcing guidance and much more.

DISCLAIMER

These are the personal opinions of UL’s employees and its guests and should not be misunderstood as representing the opinion of UL's clients, suppliers or other relations.

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